Lubricating push rod



July 21, 1942.

J. HELMs 2,290,558

LUBRICATING PUSH-ROD 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 4, 1941 .all

Lmgz-s July 21, 1942. J. H. HELMS LUBRICATING PUSH-ROD Filed Aug. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 21, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIQE LUBEICATING PUSH ROD `lohn H. Helms, Fortville, Ind. Application August 4, 1941, Seal No. 405,425

11 Claims. .(Cl. 184-18) This invention relates to lubricating push-rods I and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and eicient means for distributing oil over the inner walls of a cylinder and preventing the accumulation of oil at the bottom air brake cylinders such as used on freight trains, engines, tenders, and other suitable and similar cylinders.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and eicent means for automatically rotating the piston as the piston is reciprocated in the cylinder, thereby causing the oil in the cylinder to be carried up the walls of the cylinder and in this manner thoroughly distribute the oil over the entire inner surface of the cylinder rather than permit the oil to remain in the bottom of the cylinder.

Other objects and advantages of the present investigation will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal section of the improved device, certain parts being shown in section, the expanding jaws being shown in a released position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional form of a portion of the device, the expanding jaws being shown in a gripping position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the inner end of the push rod and associated parts, certain portions being shown in section;

Figure 4 is an end view looking at the inner end of the structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line B-B of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the push-rod assembly;

Figure 8 is a perspective view ing cam;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of the co-acting twisting cam;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a modied type of ball-bearing for use with the present invention;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified type of piston-turning mechanism;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective View of the cam sleeve shown in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified type of twisting cam and associated parts.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen of primary twistthat I0 designatesa conventional air brake cylinder having a conventional head I I provided with an air port I2. The piston I3 is mounted in the cylinder I0, as shown in Figure l, and this piston I3 carries a piston sleeve I4 which encases the push-rod I5 for a suitable distance. A wedging collar I6 is carried by the'innerend of the pushrod I5 and abuts lagainst the retaining pin I'I carried by the push-rod I5. The pin I'I slidably fits in `the socket I3 of the collar I5, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. y K

A fixed cam sleeve I9 is fixed on the push-rod I5 and this fixed cam sleeve I9 is provided with spaced cam jaws 20. A circular plate 2l isloosely mounted on the xed cam sleeve I9. A ratchet coil spring 22 ts freely around the fixed cam sleeve I9 and one end is anchored to the cam I9 by means of a screw 23. The opposite end 24 of the spring 22 extends through, and is anchored to, the plate 2 I, as shown in Figure 3.

A co-acting or twisting cam sleeve 25 is rotatably mounted on the push-rod I5, and this sleeve 25 carries a pair of cam jaws 26. The ends of the jaws 2S abut against the plate 2| and are anchored thereon by means of screws 2l. The jaws 2n and 26 by co-action provide a ratchet mechanism. Friction jaws 28'are'pivotally secured to the sleeve 25, as at 23, and these friction jaws are T-s'haped and are provided with Wedgeshaped segmental portions 30 which partially surround the wedging collarl I 6, asV shown in Figures 3 and 5. An expansion coil spring 3| is mounted upon the push-rod I5 between the sleeve 25 and the cam sleeve I9 to normally urge the sleeves I9 and 25 apart. A cylinder release spring 32 of the conventional type, is carried within the cylinder Ill and preferably engages a ball-thrust bearing 33 which abuts against thepiston I?.V to allow the piston I3 to be turned freely inthe cylinder III without being retarded by the resistance of the spring 32. A similar ball-thrust bearing may also be used on the opposite end of the spring 32, if desired.

The two friction jaws 28 which are in the nature of expanding jaws snugly fit within the notches 28 formed in the cam sleeve 25. The segmental portions 30 of these jaws 28 are provided with beveled under faces 34 for contacting with the beveled Iend 35 of the wedging collar I6,` and these jaws are adapted to lock instantly when the air brakes are applied and unlock instantly when the air brakes are released. It should be noted that the lubricating push rod ts freely within' the piston sleeve I4 andwhen the air brakes are releasedthere is ordinarily a space between the push-rod and the rear wall of the piston which may vary from lve to seven inches in actual practice.

When air is applied to the cylinder, the back wall 36fof the piston I3 pushes'the wedging collar I6 underneath the beveled ends 34 of the jaws 28, thereby causing these jaws 28 to eX- pand against the inner face of the piston sleeve I4, the spring 3| also assisting in accomplishing this movement. This spring 3| during this movement will be compressed and the cam jaws 26 of the sleeve 25 engages the spaced cam jaws 23 causing the piston to turn or rotate within the cylinder I 0, at the same time the spring 22 which is a ratchet spring is compressed and wound about the primary cam sleeve I9. Until the inner end 31 of the push-rod I5 engages the wall 39 of the piston I3, the piston I3 is gradually turned or rotated within the cylinder I8 throughout the entire stroke of the piston which in` actual practice usually is a distance of from seven to nine inches. In view of' the fact that the ball-thrust bearing 33 engages the inner end of the spring 32, as shown in Figure 1, the spring 32' will not have a twisting movement due to the fact that the piston' I3v may rotate freely independently of the spring` 32.

Whenthe air brakesA are released,v the pist-on moves backwards releasing the spring 3|, and also forcing the sleeve 25 backwardly. The space between the jaws 26 and 20, as shown in' Figures 1, 3 and 6 is provided to permit the piston to move back toits originalr position in a straight path without rotating movement. In' other words in one stroke while the piston I3 is moving away from the head I I the piston will rotate and in its return stroke the piston will move in a direct line without'rotation, or at least without any material' rotation. After the piston I3 has released' the wedging collar I6, the jaws 28 force the collar I6 backwardly until the pin II abuts against the shoulder I6. The jawsf 28 will be releasedfrom engagement with the sleeve I4 and the ratchet spring 22 will return the plate 2| to its normal position causingl the jaws 20 and 26 to assume the position shown in Figure 1. The expanding jaws 28' will then be placed in a new position within the sleeve I4. This procedure is continued each time the piston I3 reciprocates and each time the brakes are applied and released, thereby causing the oil within the cylinder I to be spread over the circumference of the entire cylinder due to the rotation of the piston I3, and in this way prevent the oil from accumulating in th'e bottom of the cylinder and also preventing the upper portion of the cylinder from being without lubrication.

It should be understood that theY jaws 20 and 26 when co-operating provide a clutch action and that the spring 22 is adapted to coil about the primary cam sleeve I9, and that the sleeve 25 will rotate against the tension of the spring 22 when the piston I3 is moved in one direction,l and this spring 22 is adapted to return toits normal positio'n when pressure is released, thereby setting the jaws 26 in their proper relation with respect tothe jaws 20.

In Figure 10, I have sho'wn a modied type of ball-'bearing for use in connection with the present invention to be used in a manner similar to the bearing 33. Figure illustrates a seal-tight thrust bearing comprising an encasing section 33a and a ball-retaining'section 33D to be engaged by the spring 32. Balls 33c are retained between the sections 33EL and 33h. The'section 33a is provided with flanges 33d which overlie the anges 33e of the section 33", thereby retaining the balls 33c and preventing the balls 33 from becoming loose and falling into the cylinder such as the cylinder I0.

In the form shown in Figure 11, the push-rod is indicated at I5a, upon which is slidably mounted the cam-sleeve 25a which ts snugly around the push-rod I5a. This sleeve 25a carries the friction jaws 28ab between the ears 28D which jaws are adapted to engage the wedging collar II8L in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figure 1. A steel pin 2IIa carries a roller 23EL and engages the push-rod |58. The roller 23a carried by the pin 29EL rides against the inclined face 2lia of the cam 2lb. An expansion spring 3|a is carried by the push-rod I5a and abuts against the' anchored cap or roller I9a and the circular plate or bearing 3Ib. The ratchet spring 22a is anchored at one end to the pin ZI)a and at the other'end to the sleeve 25a. The numerals used in describing the modied form indicatel similarY parts designated in Figure 1 with the exception that a letter is added to the numeral. The operation of both forms is similar, but the modified form has been included to provide an assembly which might be used on some older models of cars, or some newer ones of certain design. The bearing 3 Ib is preferably a ballbearing and is interposed between the spring 3 la and the plate 2 la, as shown in Figure 11.

One side of the bearing 3Ib carries a ratchet 45 and the opposite side of the bearing 3 ID carries a spring pawl 46 to engage the ratchet 45, thereby allowing the bearing to turn in one direction only at the point where the spring 3Ia engages. When the brakes are released the spring 3| does not quite touch the end of the bearing. This allows ratchet spring 3 Ia and the triangular lug to turn gripping jaws 28a to their new location in the sleeve.

A similar locking device may be used in the nature of a spring pawl 41 carried by the section 33e shown in Figure 10, for engaging a ratchet 48 formed on the edge of the section 33a, if desired.

In Figure 13, a modiiied type of means for operating the twisting cam is shown, wherein 38 indicates the twisting cam which engages the lateral pin 39 carried by the push-rod 40. This pin 39 engages and rides against the triangular lug 4I xed to the plate 2lb, and as the end of the cam 38 pushes against the plate 2|b similar to the plate 2| and compresses the spring 22b similar to the spring 22, the pin 39 causes the cam to twist or rotate, the pin 39 following the path of the arrows.

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, and means carried by the push-rod for rotating the piston as the piston is moved longitudinally of invention, what is the cylinder for causing lubrication accumulated in the bottom of the cylinder to be distributed over the inner walls of the cylinder as the piston rotates.

2. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, and means carried by the push-rod for rotating the piston as the piston is moved longitudinally of the cylinder for causing lubrication accumulated in the bottom of the cylinder to be distributed over the inner walls of the cylinder as the piston rotates, said means comprising a releasable twisting mechanism carried by the push-rod and engaging the piston for turning the piston as the piston moves in one direction.

3. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a, piston sleeve carried by the piston, a wedging collar carried by said push-rod, a xed cam sleeve carried by the push-rod, a co-acting cam sleeve loosely mounted upon the push-rod, expanding jaws carried by said co-acting cam sleeve and engaging said wedging collar, and co-Operating means carried by the xed cam sleeve and the co-acting cam sleeve for rotating said piston as said pushrod moves longitudinally in one direction through said piston sleeve.

4. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a piston sleeve carried by the piston and fitting over said push-rod, a wedging collar slidably mounted upon the inner end of the push-rod and fitting within said sleeve, said wedging collar having a tapering end, a fixed cam sleeve carried by the push-rod, a co-acting cam sleeve carried by the push-rod and loosely mounted thereon and tting between the wedging collar and the fixed cam sleeve, expanding jaws pivotally secured to the co-acting cam sleeve and having beveled inner faces overlying the tapering end of said wedging collar, the wedging collar being adapted to abut against the piston, and the push-rod being slidable longitudinally of the wedging collar for moving the expanding jaws longitudinally of the tapering end of the wedging collar to cause said expanding jaws to frictionally grip said piston sleeve and lock the co-acting cam sleeve into frictional engagement with said piston sleeve, a tension spring connecting the fixed cam sleeve with the co-acting cam sleeve, resilient means interposed between the fixed cam sleeve and the co-acting cam sleeve, and means carried by the xed cam sleeve for rotating the co-acting cam sleeve and piston in one direction as said piston is moved longitudinally of said cylinder in one direction for causing the piston to rotate simultaneously with its longitudinal movement within the cylinder.

5. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a piston sleeve carried by the piston and fitting over said push-rod, a wedging collar slidably mounted upon the inner end of the push-rod and fitting within said sleeve, said Wedging collar having a tapering end, a iixed cam sleeve carried by the push-rod, a coacting ca m sleeve carried by the push-rod and loosely mounted thereon and tting between the wedging collar and the fixed cam sleeve, expanding jaws pivotally secured to the co-acting cam sleeve and having beveled inner faces overlying the tapering end of said wedging collar, the wedging collar being adapted to abut against the piston, the push-rod being slidable longitudinally of the wedging collar for moving the expanding jaws longitudinally of the tapering end of the wedging collar to cause said expanding jaws to frictionally grip said piston sleeve and lock the co-acting cam sleeve into frictional engagement with said piston sleeve, a tension spring connecting the xed cam sleeve with the co-acting cam sleeve, resilient means interposed between the iixed cam sleeve and the co-acting cam sleeve, means carried by the xed cam sleeve for rotating the co-acting cam sleeve and piston in one direction as said piston is moved longitudinally of said cylinder in one direction for causing the piston to rotate simultaneously with its longitudinal movement within the cylinder, a resisting spring engaging the piston to normally return the piston to its original position, and a ball-thrust bearing carried by the piston and engaging the last mentioned spring.

6. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a piston sleeve carried by the piston and fitting over said push rod, a wedging collar slidably mounted upon the inner end of the push-rod and tting within said sleeve, said wedging collar having a tapering end, a fixed cam sleeve carried by the pushrod, a coacting cam sleeve carried by the pushrod and loosely mounted thereon and fitting between the wedging collar and the xed cam sleeve, expanding jaws pivotally secured to the co-acting cam sleeve and having beveled inner faces overlying the tapering end of said wedging collar, the wedging collar being adapted to abut against the piston, the push-rod being slidable longitudinally of the wedging collar for moving the expanding jaws longitudinally of the tapering end of the wedging collar to cause said expanding jaws to frictionally grip said piston sleeve and lock the co-acting cam sleeve into frictional engagement with said piston sleeve, a tension spring connecting the ixed cam sleeve with the co-acting cam sleeve, resilient means interposed between the iixed cam sleeve and the co-acting cam sleeve, cam jaws carried by said xed cam sleeve, cam jaws carried by said coacting cam sleeve and engaging one side edge of the adjoining jaws of the xed sleeve for rotating said co-acting cam sleeve as said fixed cam sleeve moves longitudinally in one direction.

7. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a sleeve carried by the piston and tting over the push-rod, a xed cam sleeve carried by the push-rod, a co-acting cam sleeve rotatably mounted upon the push-rod, friction grip means carried by the coacting cam sleeve for frictionally engaging said piston sleeve, said fixed cam sleeve having a pair of spaced cam jaws, cam jaws carried by said coacting cam sleeve and normally engaging one side edge of the jaws of the fixed sleeve, the jaws of the iixed sleeve and the co-acting sleeve being spaced upon their opposite side edges, a tension coil spring fixed at one end to the xed sleeve and connected at the other end to the co-acting cam sleeve for permitting rotation of the co-acting cam sleeve relative to the xed sleeve against the tension of said spring, the longitudinal movement of the push-rod and the associated parts causing the rotation of the piston as the piston moves longitudinally in one direction within the cylinder, the spacing of the respective jaws of the sleeves upon one side of the jaws permitting the piston to return to its normal position independently of rotation in a manner whereby a stepby-step rotation of they piston is provided upon each successive reoiprocation for causing an even distribution of lubricant within the cylinder, and spring means engaging the piston to return the piston to its normal position when pressure is relieved therefrom.

8. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a piston sleeve carried by the piston and tting over said pushrod, a Wedging collar slidably mounted upon the inner end of the push-rod and tting within said sleeve, said Wedging collar having a tapering end, a cam sleeve rotatable upon said push-rod, friction jaws carried by said sleeve and engaging said collar means for yieldably urging said sleeve toward said collar, a transverse pin secured to said push-rod and engaging said cam sleeve for rotating said sleeve as said rod reciprocates, and means for resisting the rotation of said sleeve.

9. A device of the class described comprising a push-rod, a lateral pin carried by the rod, a spring-pressed plate slidable on the rod, a triangular lug xed to the rod and engaging the pin, and a twisting cam secured to the plate and having a cam face engaging the pin for causing the cam to twist as the cam and plate are moved longitudinally of the rod.

10. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, a cam clutch carried by the push rod, a ratchet spring carried by the push-rod, and a ratchet controlled bearing rotatable in one direction interposed between the ratchet spring and said cam clutch.

11. A mechanism of the class described comprising a cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a push-rod for the piston, and means for rotating the piston as the piston is moved longitudinally of the cylinder for causing lubrication accumulated in the bottom of the cylinder to be distributed over the inner walls of the cylinder as the piston rotates.

JOI-IN H. HELMS. 

